Motherhood: the days are long but the years go by too quickly.
As a child it was ingrained in me the importance of saying thank you for a gift. Dutifully (although admittedly not always enthusiastically) I would scratch out a nice bit of thanks, make a few short comments about the so called highlights of my life, and wish my gift giver well. This process was carried out time after time for birthdays, Christmases, and any other holidays where I was fortunate enough to have someone else think of me and send me something. Yes, send me something. Never did I write a thank you note for something that was given to me directly. The exceptions, of course, would be for wedding and graduation presents, but those are very different situations then let’s say, my 7th birthday. But now I find we are receiving cute little notes from some of the parties my children have attended….I ask why?
As my boys have moved into the social sphere of FPs “Frequent Partiers” I am finding that my family’s practice of a nice “thank you for coming and here is a goodie bag” is not enough. I am impressed, and somewhat guilted, by receiving an actual paper thank you in the mail. Growing up with a somewhat uptight English background (sorry mom) I would have thought we were the models for the “how to” when it came to the “thank you”, apparently not. Never as a child did I receive a paper thank you for a birthday party present given to a friend, nor did I write any. Were we all so socially wrong? It is that we were all New York transplants and didn’t know any better? I struggle to understand how and why this paper craze is happening now?
As we have moved into a more paperless society it becomes more difficult to maintain some of our social standards so perhaps some are trying to simply cling to the writing of actual letters... good for you. I only do on-line invitations (Punchbowl.com is my favorite). Not because of the expense or because I am trying to save paper, in reality, it’s the full time work and too many other obligations that does not allow me endless hours to scan Pinterest to design the perfect invitation. I save that time and energy for the actual party. No this way, I can communicate with all our guests easily and they too can communicate back their RSVPs in the comfort of home while wearing their most cherished fuzzy slippers. Pinterest worthy goodie bags
After the party I send out another electronic thank you to the group. Not personal, for sure, but I make a point to teach my child to verbally say “Thank you and thanks for coming” to their guests so I don’t feel the message is lost. For me what is important is that my boys understand that time and effort went into the present and that they are acknowledging those, more than the actual gift. We will continue the paper thanks for the gifts sent via mail and a nice goodie bag for those who we see. There – I am making peace with it all. Thank you for listening, no additional thanks required I hope.
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Copyright 2019 Motherhood Uncorked
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Links are just fine though.
Please do not copy or reproduce without permission.
Links are just fine though.
